Post anchor

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an anchor or stabilizer for fence posts, or the like, which is provided with an aperture to receive the post, the aperture having a configuration such that the anchor can universally be used on posts of round, rectangular or channelshaped cross-section.

United States Patent 1191 Eichstaedt 1451 Mar. 19, 1974 1 1 POST ANCHOR [76] lnventor: Edward C. Elchstaedt, 31 New [22] Filed:

Britain Ave., Ormond Beach, Fla. 32074 Oct. 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 302,055

[52] U.S. Cl 52/156, 403/3, 24/243,

256/1, 248/228, 52/296 [51] Int. Cl E0211 5/74 [58] Field of Search 52/156, 161, 166, 153,

References Cited 2 l I "UNITED STATES PATENTS Elmer et a1. 287/52 R 3,167,292 l/l965 Meyerowitz 248/230 2,902,969 9/1959 Mallison 114/208 R 2.910.955 11/1959 Long 114/208 R 1,612,041 12/1926 Morris 294/86.12

Primary Examiner-James R. Boler Assistant Examiner-Conrad L. Berman Attorney, Agent, or FirmWooclward, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is an anchor or stabilizer for fence posts, or the like, which is provided with an aperture to receive the post, the aperture having a configuration such that the anchor can universally be used on posts of round, rectangular or channel-shaped cross-secti0 n.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures POST ANCHOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Post anchors and stabilizers of various designs are well known in the prior art. Generally these structures usually require either pouring of concrete at the base of the post, precast footings for the post which make the posts cumbersome to handle prior to installation, welding of a cross bar to the post or drilling holes in the post for bolting on a snag plate. The installation time required is lengthy and since many of the prior art stabilizers are installed near or at the ground surface, they are vulnerable to tampering by vandals.

The post anchor of the present invention can be used, without modification on posts of various cross-section. After the anchor is positioned at the desired location on the post, only a single threaded bolt need be tightened to clamp the anchor in place. This joining of the anchor to the post, because of its simplicity, can take place at the job site, so that prior loading, handling and transport of the posts is not impeded by the anchor assembly. The simplicity of installation on a post further tends to minimize the tendency of workmen to skip installation of an anchor where such installation is particularly difficult and time consuming. The anchor is provided with elongated fingers which are moved outwardly prior *to backfilling of the post hole and thus provide a grappling hook effect resisting withdrawal or twisting of the post. Y

BRI DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED" I EMBODIMENT Referring initially to FIG. l, 't here is shown a post withthe anchor assembly of the present invention identified at 11, installed on the post. The postis shown in a'previously dug post hole butprior to backfilling of the hole. I

The anchor assembly includes a rectangularly shaped body 12 having a central aperture 13. As may best be seen in FIG. 3. adjacent each of the corners, and at the outer margin, the body l2 -is provided with triangularly shaped recesses 14 which have a vertical side surface and an inclined side surface. Each of these recesses accomrnodates an elongated finger member 16 which is alternatelypositioned either in its solid line position of FIG. 3, that is, inclined with respect 'to the faceof the anchor body' or'may be placed in a generally vertical positionshown by broken lines in FIG. 3.

The aperture 13 has a generally circular margininterrupted by chordal, sidewardly extending, cut-away portions 17 and 18. The generally circular configuration of the margin of the aperture 13 isfurther interrupted by chordally opposite, step shaped indentations 19 and 21 which are adjacent the sidewardly extending portions 18 and 17, respectively. A threaded clamping bolt 22 extends radially into the aperture 13, the bolts extending through an aperture in the side of the body member 12 and being threaded through a nut 23 held in a recess in the anchor body. As will be evident from FIG. 2 the clamping bolt is adapted to be tightened against the side surface of the pole 10 which is circular in crosssection, thus pressing the pole against the opposite portion of the aperture margin to clamp the anchor at the desired position along the length of the post.

When the anchor body is installed at the desired position on the post 10, the post and anchor may be lowered into the post hole previously dug as shown in FIG.

1. While the post is being lowered into the post hole, the elongated fingers 16 are placed in generally vertical position, as shown in FIG. 2, so that they do not interfere with the placement of the post in the hole.

After the post is in place in the hole, it may be shaken slightly, causing the members 16 to move to their inclined position (shown in FIG. 3 in solid lines). The post hole may then be backfilled and, it will be noted, the fingers 16, after backfilling provide a grappling hook effect which resists lifting or twisting of the post.

Referring to FIGQ4, the anchor body 12 is shown installed upon a post 31 which is channel-shaped in crosssection. The conventional marginal flanges 31a of the post 31 are accommodated in the sidewardly extending portions 17 and 18, the web portion 31b of the post being engaged by the tip. of the clamping bolt 22. The installation of the anchor assembly on the channelshaped post is identical to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As in the installation described with reference to FIG. 1, the elongated members 16 are initially placed in generally vertical position as the post'is lowered into the opening and are subsequently moved to inclined position prior to backfilling.

Referring to FIG. 5, the anchor assembly is shown installed on a post 32 of rectangular cross-section. As will be evident from FIG. 5, two of the adjacent corners of the post are seated in the step shaped indentations 19 and 21 and the clamping bolt 22 engages the opposite V clined position prior to backfilling of the post hole.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the anchor assembly of the present invention may be utilized on a variety of cross-sectioned posts because of the configuration of the central aperture through the anchor body.

The anchor assembly can be made in two or three sizes to accommodate a wide range of post sizes. Installation is easy and rapid'and only one clamping bolt is necessary to'fix the. anchor body to the post. The anchor body itself can be tooled or might be cast to shape and formedof any suitable material.

I claim: v

I. A post anchor adapted for use withvariously crosssectioned posts and of the type adapted to be positioned on a post at a location below ground level when the post is in place, said postanchor including a body having an aperture adapted to accommodate the post on which the anchor is installed, said aperture having a generally circular margin with chordally opposite sidewardly extending cut-away portions and step shaped indentations chordally opposite each other and closely adjacent said cut-away portions, whereby the axis as the post, with the anchor attached, is lowered into a post hole, said elongated members being moveable to an outwardly inclined position to provide a grappling hook effect when the post is in place in the post hole.

3. A post anchor as claimed in claim 2 in which said elongated members extend from triangularly shaped sockets formed in said anchor body. 

1. A post anchor adapted for use with variously cross-sectioned posts and of the type adapted to be positioned on a post at a location below ground level when the post is in place, said post anchor including a body having an aperture adapted to accommodate the post on which the anchor is installed, said aperture having a generally circular margin with chordally opposite sidewardly extending cut-away portions and step shaped indentations chordally opposite each other and closely adjacent said cut-away portions, whereby the side flanges of a channel cross-section post may be accommodated in said sidewardly extending aperture portions, said step shaped indentations may accommodate corners of a rectangular cross-section post, and the curved portions of the aperture margin may accommodate a post circular in crosssectiOn.
 2. A post anchor as claimed in claim 1 in which a plurality of elongated members extend from the upper face of said body and are pivotally accommodated thereon for positioning generally parallel to the post axis as the post, with the anchor attached, is lowered into a post hole, said elongated members being moveable to an outwardly inclined position to provide a grappling hook effect when the post is in place in the post hole.
 3. A post anchor as claimed in claim 2 in which said elongated members extend from triangularly shaped sockets formed in said anchor body. 